FEATURE ARTICLE

Sam AwedaTuesday, May 10, 2016
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Lagos, Nigeria

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UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES (PART 4)

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Continued from Part 3

n the last three meetings, I was explaining why it is necessary and important to have the understanding of the times.

I used as an example the story of David, who was once a fugitive, and was running about because king Saul was bent on taking his life.

However, a certain troops from the tribe of Issachar, the 7th son of Israel, understood the times and they took the appropriate steps that needed to be taken and not only that David was saved from the hands of Saul, he succeeded Saul as king in Israel.

So, I was saying that, that our myriads of problems in this country have lasted for such a long time has an indicted those who ought to have the understanding of the times but do not have it.

It is sad that the problem of electricity, lack of potable water, killer roads, lack of job for the youths and even adults, collapse of education and general poverty have lasted for such a long time. Even, petrol, which God in His pleasure put under our ground is frequently a night mere.

These occur because the people who are expected to act do not have the understanding of the times and because they do not have the understanding of the times, they lack the knowledge of the appropriate steps to take. So, I will continue today again to expound on the topic "Understanding the Times'.

Meanwhile, let us pray as Dr. Dn. Kayode Samuel leads us.

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In the last three times, when we met, I listed various groups of people who their lack of understanding of the times has deterred the progress of the nation and why the largest members of the populace are wallowing under poverty, in spite of the abundance of the wealth, which God has endowed us with.

Only a few seem to have the understanding of the times and are acting accordingly, in a manner that can make us enjoy a good quality of life.

Only a single Israeli tribal troops, the tribe of Issachar of the twelve tribes of Israel had the understanding of the times. They took all the necessary steps and the troops loyal to David had victory.

It is very sad that religion that ought to unite us together is same that separate us today.

Who of us has ever been to heaven and met with God? Do we not all only rely on the interpretation of our different holy books? And if 'am sure that it is the writings in my Holy book, is the way to God, how will others who are yet to gain understanding do, if all I show them is hatred and holier-than-thou attitude?

In the past, Christians and Moslems celebrated our festivals together.

When I was young, my elder sister and I usually spend the Ileya festive time with my father's sister and her children spend the Christmas time with us.

My mother had Moslem parents and was given a Muslim name and I do not remember any Ramadan period that my mother failed to send fruits, milk, sugar and other things to her uncle, who was the king. Likewise, I do not remember any Ileya festival when her uncle failed to send ram meat to her; both of blessed memory.

A senior in the High School, during one recent Ramadan period reminded me he was expecting his fasting provisions. It was all out of love because he had his money to buy and break his fasts with whatever his soul desires as a University don.

We have relatively few years to spend on earth than to be making enemies.

The people who make enemies because of religious differences, do because they have no understanding of the times

Fasting is easier in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan time because every Moslem compulsorily fast. Eating in the public during the day is prohibited. However, during the day, anyone not fasting can eat within the confinement of his home. It then dawned on me that I could use the time for my personal spiritual uplift, so I per took quietly in the fasting in my years of sojourn in the country.

I insist that the worst harm done to this generation was the removal of boarding in the High Schools. Friends made in the formative years are most trusting and enduring. Lack of boarding facilities made it possible for heresies, particularly religious fanatics to gain ground, which led to hatred for those who are of a different religion. And our Politicians cash on it to divide us further and to rob us of our common wealth. They give peanuts to those of 'their mother' and those who eat the peanuts are ever ready to provide cover for them against any eyebrow or up-rise to their atrocities and thefts. Those who eat the peanuts are ever ready to protect them. All under the disguise of religion!

May God allow them to have the understanding of the times so as to distinguish real religion from using religion to oppress fellow citizens.

We now use religion to intimidate ourselves.

I have heard that some tertiary institutions, which are even owned and funded by the Federal Government is like except you are of a particular religion, admission is closed against you; the same thing with job offer. Yet they are owned and funded by the Federal government.

I have heard that certain state Governments favour candidates of a certain religion to offer jobs. Those state governments are ignorant of future repercussion because they do not have the understanding of the times.

One should be weary of any one under the disguise of religion, who cannot stand for the truth, who will stand with an evil person just because the evil person belongs to his religion i.e religion of 'his mother' in their parlance.

With our neck deep, diverse, multi problems, stacking us in the face as a nation, which is causing us embarrassment in the comity of nation, it is unfortunate that differences in our religion take priority over how we can catch up with the rest of the world, whereas, these religions, if we shall obey their letters are able to lead us into progress. Unfortunately we are using the differences in our religion in a diversionary, negative way, causing us lack of progress, thereby providing avenue for the politicians to continue to rob us and be purchasing mansions in Dubai, US, UK, South Africa and all over the world.

God ordained religion to give us good life so that we can live godly so that we can be qualified to live with him in heaven but because the religious leaders do not have the understanding of the times, they are using it in unprofitable manners.

Because religious leaders fail to take the profits and advantages of religion, we are left decimated and pauperized, making many to dip their hands in sin, which will eventually lead them to hell.

To continue

Continued from Part 3

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